Price seems very high.
Will stick with my new bendy SLX 25 from Gardiners.
Yes I did say bendy. The new poles seem to be very whippy compared with the older SLX25. Not sure why.
Yes I agree,they are not the same quality as they used to be,my six month old slx pole looks the same as the two year old pole I replaced it for,Alex g advised the quality has not changed I think he may be fibbing
Apart from being morally & ethically wrong to ‘fib’ it is also not a good business idea as long term a reputation for being honest and transparent is worth more than any quick sale by deception
The quality, carbon type, construction method, carbon finish & assembly methods of the SLX range has not changed in the last 5 years.
We have in the last 5 years improved the parts used in the clamp levers sets & improved quality control in the factory & in the post construction quality checking though.
The only real change has been that the SLX poles now cost us a good amount more to make due to the devaluation of the pound - something that we have mostly absorbed without passing on to the client.
Any perceived changes will usually be down to some external environmental issue (unless there is a manufacturing fault) that the pole has encountered ie using a heavier brush, longer gooseneck, a non-Gardiner after market device fitted, different worker, different work rounds or property makeup, or a change in cleaning and maintenance of the pole.
Since the SLX was introduced 10 + years ago there are now many more choices of carbon poles available in the market place - so it is relatively easy to choose an alternative
However if you feel that you have a specific product issue that needs looking at our Customer Service Team are ready to help. Please email them on
sales@gardinerpolesystems.co.uk with the details of the issue.